Data processing system and method for permitting a server computer system to remotely modify operation of a client system's network hardware

• US 6,304,900 B1
• Filed: 02/18/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cromer, Daryl Carvis, Locker, Howard, Springfield, Randall Scott, Kern, Eric Richard, Ellison, Brandon Jon, Johnson, Robert Duane
• Primary Examiner(s): Coulter, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/252,363
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/221, 709/203, 709/224, 709/223
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/065 related to network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity

Abstract

A data processing system and method are described for permitting a server computer system coupled to a client computer system utilizing a network to remotely modify operation of the client computer system'"'"'s network hardware. A counter is established within the client computer system for counting a plurality of network events. A counter threshold is established. Upon the counter reaching the counter threshold, the client computer system'"'"'s network hardware transmits a message to the server computer system including network statistics information. The network statistics information includes an indication of the counter reaching the counter threshold. In response to a receipt of the message, the server computer system determines whether to modify the operation of the client'"'"'s network hardware. In response to a determination to modify operation of the network hardware, the server remotely modifies operation of the client'"'"'s network hardware.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system including a server computer system and a client computer system coupled together utilizing a network for permitting said server computer system to remotely modify operation of said client computer system'"'"'s network hardware, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing a counter in said client computer system for counting a plurality of network events;

establishing a counter threshold;

upon said counter reaching said counter threshold, said client computer system'"'"'s network hardware transmitting a message to said server computer system including network statistics information, said network statistics information including an indication of said counter reaching said counter threshold;

in response to a receipt of said message, said server computer system determining whether to modify operation of said network hardware; and

in response to a determination to modify operation of said network hardware, said server computer system remotely modifying operation of said network hardware.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of said server computer system determining whether to modify operation of said network hardware further comprises the step of said server computer system utilizing said network statistics information to determine said client computer system'"'"'s network performance, wherein said client computer system does not determine said client'"'"'s network performance.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of said server computer system determining whether to modify operation of said network hardware further comprises the step of said server computer system utilizing said network statistics information to determine said network'"'"'s overall network performance.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of said network hardware utilizing network parameters during operation, further wherein the step of said server computer system remotely modifying operation of said network hardware further comprises the step of said server computer system transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

said client computer receiving said modified network parameters; and

said network hardware utilizing said modified network parameters during operation.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of said server computer system transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters further comprises the step of said server computer system transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including a modified buffer size.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of said server computer system transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters further comprises the step of said server computer system transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including a modified latency interval.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of said server computer system transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters further comprises the step of said server computer system transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing DMI and said network.

9. A data processing system including a server computer system and a client computer system coupled together utilizing a network for permitting said server computer system to remotely modify operation of said client computer system'"'"'s network hardware, comprising:

counter in said client computer system for counting a plurality of network events;

said client computer system executing code for establishing a counter threshold;

said client computer system'"'"'s network hardware for transmitting a message to said server computer system including network statistics information upon said counter reaching said counter threshold, said network statistics information including an indication of said counter reaching said counter threshold;

in response to a receipt of said message, said server computer system executing code for determining whether to modify operation of said network hardware; and

in response to a determination to modify operation of said network hardware, said server computer system executing code for remotely modifying operation of said network hardware.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said server computer system executing code for determining whether to modify operation of said network hardware further comprises said server computer system executing code for utilizing said network statistics information to determine said client computer system'"'"'s network performance, wherein said client computer system does not determine said client'"'"'s network performance.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said server computer system executing code for determining whether to modify operation of said network hardware further comprises said server computer system executing code for utilizing said network statistics information to determine said network'"'"'s overall network performance.

12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising said network hardware for utilizing network parameters during operation, further wherein said server computer system executing code for remotely modifying operation of said network hardware further comprises said server computer system executing code for transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising:

said client computer for receiving said modified network parameters; and

said network hardware for utilizing said modified network parameters during operation.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said server computer system executing code for transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters further comprises said server computer system executing code for transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including a modified buffer size.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said server computer system executing code for transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters further comprises said server computer system executing code for transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including a modified latency interval.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said server computer system executing code for transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters further comprises said server computer system executing code for transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing DMI and said network.

17. A data processing system including a server computer system and a client computer system coupled together utilizing a network for permitting said server computer system to remotely modify operation of said client computer system'"'"'s network hardware, said network hardware utilizing network parameters during operation, comprising:

counter in said client computer system for counting a plurality of network events;

said client computer system executing code for establishing a counter threshold;

said client computer system'"'"'s network hardware for transmitting a message to said server computer system including network statistics information upon said counter reaching said counter threshold, said network statistics information including an indication of said counter reaching said counter threshold;

in response to a receipt of said message, said server computer system executing code for determining whether to modify operation of said network hardware utilizing said network statistics information to determine said client computer system'"'"'s network performance and to determine said network'"'"'s overall network performance, wherein said client computer system does not determine said client'"'"'s network performance;

in response to a determination to modify operation of said network hardware, said server computer system executing code for remotely modifying operation of said network hardware by transmitting a message to said client computer system utilizing said network including modified network parameters;

said client computer for receiving said modified network parameters; and

said network hardware for utilizing said modified network parameters during operation.